Friday, 24 January 2014

I setupSundogPictures because I believe that the medium of film is one of the most powerful tools in the modern era to create positive social change. It has the ability to take huge complex subjects and put them across in an easy to understand form. Changing peoples views and in turn changing the world itself.

We aim to tell stories that matter and start conversations around important subjects. Not in a worthy or preachy way, but in a way that engages, inspires and entertains, bringing new audiences to important subjects. The best stories are ones that create discussion and leave you feeling inspired or fired up to make a change.

Our first feature length documentary Breaking The Taboo focused on the failed War on Drugs and was watched by nearly a million people on YouTube within four weeks. It was an incredible success and it did what it set out to do - get people talking about a futile 40+ year war that has caused nothing but endless suffering around the globe and put pressure on governments to find better solutions.

In our critically acclaimed TV documentary Turtle Boy we looked at the amazing human spirit of a young boy in Columbia and upped Channel 4's slot average by 75%.

In our touching film 'Becoming Me' (a piece of branded content for a recruitment agency Randstad U.K.) we gave people who are looking for career fulfilment a voice and in 'Wind For Prosperity' we are telling the incredible story of Danish wind energy company Vesta’s, who are in a bid to end energy poverty around the globe.

That’s just some of the amazing projects we have made and are making here at SundogPictures. They are all different types of content on different types of media - be it TV, internet or on the big screen - but one thing connects them all. They all have the Sundog imprint, our DNA that runs through everything that we do. They are stories that matter. Inspiring, informing and entertaining.

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

I have a passion for adventure, which, I guess, means I ultimately have a passion for life. An adventure doesn’t have to be something extreme or death defying. Seeking a new job, trying out a new environment or learning a new skill in your free time - these are all new adventures and challenges in your life that you need to push yourself to achieve.

That is one of the key themes I will be talking about at the 2014 Adventure Travel Show on Sunday (26th January) at Olympia London.

I was very honoured to be asked to speak at the event, and to be on the same platform as the awesome Sir Ranulph Fiennes is such a buzz. It's been a great opportunity to look back on my life so far and reflect on the things i have done.

Arctic - beautiful but deadly

In my life I have always tried to push myself. I have been to the Arctic three times, attempted to break the Trans-Atlantic sailing speed record, which was the arguably the most dangerous trip of my life and have managed to break several records, including the fastest crossing of the English Channel by Kiteboard.

And this year I am going to undertake two of my biggest challenge yet - attempting to get from London to the top of the Matterhorn in Switzerland entirely under human power and being the youngest man in space flying on Virgin Galactic’s maiden voyage. Quite a surreal thought.

But, while I am passionate about pushing myself, I am equally, if not more so, passionate about showing the new perspective that adventures gives people. It inspires them to push themselves more in their lives, set new goals and generally refuse to be cowed by obstacles. By seeking a new adventure, you are already asking the best question in life. It’s not ‘Why?’, but ‘Why not?’.

I hope to see you guys on Sunday.

All the best,

Sam :)

Get tickets to The Adventure Travel Show 2014 – Olympia for only £6 – saving £4 off the door

About Me

Hey guys, thanks for checking out my blog! I am lucky enough to experience some amazing things on this planet and meet some pretty incredible people, so I thought i'd share some of these with you. I hope you enjoy!